Nucleoporin 88 expression in hepatitis B and C virus-related liver diseases

INTRODUCTIONHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks fifth of the most common cancers worldwide and its incidence is rising in the Western world[1]. Due to the high mortality associated with HCC it is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide[1]. The …     

Updates of developments in interventional therapy for elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases

<正>Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the world and one of the most common diseases in the elderly, with high prevalence and poor prognosis, which seriously affect the health of the elder patients. One report showed that global deaths from CVD increased from 12.4 million in 1990 to 19.8 million in 2022,     

Characteristics of gastric cancer in Asia

Gastric cancer(GC)is the fourth most common cancer in the world with more than 70%of cases occur in the developing world.More than 50%of cases occur in Eastern Asia.GC is the second leading cause of cancer death in both sexes worldwide.In Asia,GC is the third most common cancer after breast and lung and is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer.Although the incidence and mortality rates are slowly declining in many countries of Asia,GC still remains a significant public health problem.The incidence and mortality varies according to the geographic area in Asia.These variations are closely related to the prevalence of GC risk factors;especially Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and its molecular virulent characteristics.The gradual and consistent improvements in socioeconomic conditions in Asia have lowered the H.pylori seroprevalence rates leading to a reduction in the GC incidence.However,GC remains a significant public health and an economic burden in Asia.There has been no recent systemic review of GC incidence,mortality,and H.pylori molecular epidemiology in Asia.The aim of this report is to review the GC incidence,mortality,and linkage to H.pylori in Asia.     

Induction of apoptosis on human hepatocarcinoma cell lines by an alkyl resorcinol isolated from Lithraea molleoides

INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma is the 5th most common cancer in the world and the 4th most common cause of cancer-associated mortality[1]. Surgical resection and local treatment are frequently limited, as a result of metastasis, cirrhosis, and othe…     

Is the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha mRNA expression activated by ethanol-induced injury, the mechanism underlying alcoholic liver disease?

Introduction The toxic effects of alcohol involve all the major organs of human being. Excessive alcohol consumption can result in multipleorgan injury, of which alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common. ALD remains an important complication and cause of morbidity and mortality from alcohol abuse.[1] In North America, liver disease due to alcohol consumption is an important cause of death in adults.[2] With economic development and improved living standards, the incidence of diseas…     

The evolution of prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer

［Abstract］　Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death in women living in less developed regions of the world, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women living in more well-developed regions of the world. Breast cancer treatment options continue to evolve, with multiple treatment modalities now available; however, finding reliable predictive and prognostic biomarkers that will aid in selecting the appropriate treatment for breast cancer patients who would most likely respond to a specific therapy is still a major challenge, and has been the focus of many research groups throughout the past few decades. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the current prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer including traditional, immunohistochemical, and genomic assays, and assess the potential clinical use of these markers.     

Accurate diagnosis is essential for amebiasis

Amebiasis is one of the three most common causes of death from parasitic disease, and Entamoeba histolytica is the most widely distributed parasites in the world. Particularly, Entamoeba histolytica infection in the developing countries is a significant health problem in amebiasis-endemic areas with a significant impact on infant mortality[1]. In recent years a world wide increase in the number of patients with amebiasis has refocused attention on this important infection. On the other hand, improving the quality of parasitological methods and widespread use of accurate tecniques have improved our knowledge about the disease.     

Practice of precision surgery in primary liver cancer

正Primary liver cancer (PLC) is mainly composed of three major cancer: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and mixed hepatocellular-cholangiocellular carcinoma. PLC is the sixth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide [1] .     

Helicobacterpylori Does Cause Gastric Cancer： A Re-review of the Evidence

Gastric cancer, remains one of the most common fatal cancers in the world. In terms of both incidence and mortality, it ranks second in importance after lung cancer. In 1990, there were estimated to be 798,000 new diagnoses and 752,000 deaths from gastric cancer worldwide, representing 9.9% of all new cancers. Sixty percent of these cancers occur in the developing world, 62% in Asia and 12% in Japan.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma metastasizing to the skull base involving multiple cranial nerves

INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary tumor of the liver, is estimated to cause more than a quarter of a million deaths throughout the world each year. Metastasis is one of the most significant factors affecting prognosis. I…     

Does antiviral therapy for hepatitis B and C prevent hepatocellular carcinoma?

Approximately 75% to 80% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) worldwide are attributed to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus, effective prevention of HBV and HCV infection and progression from acute HBV and HCV infection to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC might prevent as many as 450,000 deaths from HCC each year. The most effective approach to preventing HCC is to prevent HBV and HCV infection through vaccination. Indeed HBV vaccine is the first vaccine demonstrated to prevent cancers. However, a vaccine for HCV is not available and for persons who are chronically infected with HBV or HCV, antiviral therapy is the only option for preventing HCC. Direct evidence supporting a benefit of antiviral therapy on the prevention of HCC has been shown in a few randomized controlled trials. There is abundant evidence that antiviral therapy, in patients with long-term virological response, can improve liver histology, providing indirect support that antiviral therapy may prevent HCC by slowing progression of liver disease and possibly even reversing liver damage. Nevertheless, the risk of HCC remains in patients with chronic HBV or chronic HCV infection if treatment is initiated after cirrhosis is established. These data indicate that treatment might be of greater benefit if instituted earlier in the course of chronic hepatitis B or C. Safer, more effective, and more affordable antiviral therapies are needed for both hepatitis B and hepatitis C so more patients can benefit from treatment and more HCCs can be prevented.     

Epidemiology and management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major world health problem because of the high incidence and case fatality rate. In most patients, the diagnosis of HCC is made at an advanced stage, which limits the application of curative treatments. Most HCCs develop in patients with underlying chronic liver disease. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are the major causes of liver cirrhosis and HCC. Recent improvements in treatment of viral hepatitis and in methods for surveillance and therapy for HCC have contributed to better survival of patients with HCC. This article reviews the epidemiology, cause, prevention, clinical manifestations, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment approach for HCC.     

Nucleos(t)ide analogs in the prevention of hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is among the most common cancer types and causes of cancer related mortality worldwide.Almost 50% of all HCC cases globally are attributable to chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection.The incidence rates of HCC in untreated Asian subjects with HBV infection was estimated to be 0.2% in inactive carriers,0.6% for those with chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis,and 3.7% for those with compensated cirrhosis.In Western populations,HCC incidences are reported to be 0.02% in inactive carriers,0.3% in subjects with chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis,and 2.2% in subjects with compensated cirrhosis.Despite effective antiviral treatment options which are able to transform chronic hepatitis into an inactive carrier state,the risk of HCC cannot be fully ruled out to exclude those patients from surveillance.Newer nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs) as entecavir and tenofovir are very potent in terms of sustained virological suppression which leads to improved liver histology.However,they do not have any influence on the ccc DNA or integrated DNA of HBV in the liver.Nonetheless,viral replication is the only modifiable component among the established risk factors for HBV-related HCC with the current treatment options.In this review,it was aimed to summarize cumulative evidence behind the concept of prevention of HBV related HCC by NAs,and to discuss remaining obstacles to eliminate the risk of HCC.     

Hepatitis B virus infection and alcohol consumption

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The top three causes of HCC are hepatitis B virus(HBV),hepatitis C virus(HCV), and alcoholic liver disease. Owing to recent advances in direct-acting antiviral agents, HCV can now be eradicated in almost all patients. HBV infection and alcoholic liver disease are expected, therefore, to become the leading causes of HCC in the future. However, the association between alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis B in the progression of liver disease is less well understood than with chronic hepatitis C. The mechanisms underlying the complex interaction between HBV and alcohol are not fully understood, and enhanced viral replication, increased oxidative stress and a weakened immune response could each play an important role in the development of HCC. It remains controversial whether HBV and alcohol synergistically increase the incidence of HCC. Herein, we review the currently available literature regarding the interaction of HBV infection and alcohol consumption on disease progression.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the Asia–Pacific region

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although hepatitis B still remains the most common risk factor worldwide, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the driving force for the increased incidence of HCC especially in Western countries and Japan. In hepatitis B virus (HBV)-endemic areas, after successful vaccination programs against HBV, chronic HCV infection is now emerging as an important cause of chronic liver diseases. Unlike patients with chronic hepatitis B, those with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) develop HCC in the presence of established cirrhosis in most cases. However, a significant minority of CHC develops HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. Although HCV is a RNA virus with little potential for integrating its genetic material into host genome, various HCV proteins, including core, envelope, and nonstructural proteins, have oncogenic properties by inducing oxidative stress, disturbing cellular regulatory pathways associated with proliferation and apoptosis, and suppressing host immune responses. Overall, a combination of virus-specific, host genetic, environmental, and immune-related factors are likely to determine progression to HCC. Strategies aimed at eliminating the virus may provide opportunities for effective prevention of the development of HCC. Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy appears to be effective at reducing the risk of HCC in patients who achieve sustained virologic responses. In summary, with the emerging importance of CHC, mechanisms of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinogenesis should be clarified to provide insight into advanced therapeutic and preventive approaches, which eventually decrease the incidence and mortality of HCC.     

Molecular mechanisms of viral hepatitis induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Chronic infection with viral hepatitis affects half a billion individuals worldwide and can lead to cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure. Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality, of which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)represents 90%of all primary liver cancers. Solid tumors like HCC are complex and have heterogeneous tumor genomic profiles contributing to complexity in diagnosis and management. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV),hepatitis delta virus (HDV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the greatest etiological risk factors for HCC. Due to the significant role of chronic viral infection in HCC development, it is important to investigate direct (viral associated) and indirect (immune-associated) mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HCC. Common mechanisms used by HBV, HCV, and HDV that drive hepatocarcinogenesis include persistent liver inflammation with an impaired antiviral immune response, immune and viral protein-mediated oxidative stress, and deregulation of cellular signaling pathways by viral proteins.DNA integration to promote genome instability is a feature of HBV infection, and metabolic reprogramming leading to steatosis is driven by HCV infection. The current review aims to provide a brief overview of HBV, HCV and HDV molecular biology, and highlight specific viral-associated oncogenic mechanisms and common molecular pathways deregulated in HCC, and current as well as emerging treatments for HCC.     

The contributions of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer worldwide

BACKGROUND/AIMS: End-stage liver disease accounts for one in forty deaths worldwide. Chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are well-recognized risk factors for cirrhosis and liver cancer, but estimates of their contributions to worldwide disease burden have been lacking. METHODS: The prevalence of serologic markers of HBV and HCV infections among patients diagnosed with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was obtained from representative samples of published reports. Attributable fractions of cirrhosis and HCC due to these infections were estimated for 11 WHO-based regions. RESULTS: Globally, 57% of cirrhosis was attributable to either HBV (30%) or HCV (27%) and 78% of HCC was attributable to HBV (53%) or HCV (25%). Regionally, these infections usually accounted for >50% of HCC and cirrhosis. Applied to 2002 worldwide mortality estimates, these fractions represent 929,000 deaths due to chronic HBV and HCV infections, including 446,000 cirrhosis deaths (HBV: n=235,000; HCV: n=211,000) and 483,000 liver cancer deaths (HBV: n=328,000; HCV: n=155,000). CONCLUSIONS: HBV and HCV infections account for the majority of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer throughout most of the world, highlighting the need for programs to prevent new infections and provide medical management and treatment for those already infected.     

Viral hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world, some 630,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. 82% of cases are related to viral hepatitis, 55% to hepatitis B virus (HBV), 89% of those in regions where HBV is endemic. There is a striking parallel between the geographical distribution of the rates of chronic HBV infection and that of HCC. In the majority of HCC cases (70-90%) there is underlying liver cirrhosis. However, because HBV is an oncogenic virus, it can cause HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. The annual risk of HBV-induced HCC varies according to the presence or absence of concomitant cirrhosis. In HBV carriers without cirrhosis, the risk is 0.02-03% in Caucasians and 0.4-0.6% per year in Asians. In those with cirrhosis, the risk is 2.2% and 3.7% respectively in Caucasians and Asians. HBV likely causes HCC via both indirect (necro-inflammation and regeneration injury) and direct (by integration of its DNA in the host genome) pathways. During recent years it has become evident that HBV viral load >2000 IU/mL is associated with a high risk of malignant transformation. The most effective measure of prevention of HBV-related HCC is prevention of HBV infection by vaccination. A universal vaccination program in Taiwan was shown to be effective in reducing the rate of childhood and early adulthood HCC. In patients already infected with HBV, antiviral therapy remains the best strategy. Interferon-alfa therapy appears to be effective in preventing HCC in cirrhosis in Asia but not in Europe. Medium-term nucleos/tide-analogue therapy significantly reduces but does not eliminate the risk of HCC, especially in patients with pre-existing cirrhosis. Maintenance of virological remission is important for the reduction of HCC risk. With more potent antiviral drugs currently available (entecavir, tenofovir), long-term HBV DNA suppression is now possible with very low risk of drug resistance.     

Hepatitis B and end-stage liver disease

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and end-stage liver disease worldwide. Untreated, chronic hepatitis B acquired early in life results in cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma in up to 40% of individuals. Until recently, the options for a patient who had end-stage hepatitis B cirrhosis were severely limited, but during the past 15 years great strides have been made in prevention and treatment of hepatitis B cirrhosis. This article reviews recent advances in the understanding of the natural history, prevention, and medical management of HBV-related end-stage liver disease.     

Molecular targets for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in some areas of the world with an extremely poor prognosis. The major etiologic risk factors for HCC development include toxins (alcohol, aflatoxin B1), androgens and estrogens, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as well as various inherited metabolic disorders, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and hemochromatosis. The molecular pathogenesis of HCC development is very complex and involves alterations in the structure or expression of several tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes and, possibly, mechanisms leading to a genetic instability due to mismatch repair deficiency or chromosomal instability and aneuploidy due to defective chromosomal segregation. Central to the molecular pathogenesis of HCCs are mutations of various genes and a genetic instability which in most cases result from chronic liver disease and the associated enhanced liver cell regeneration and mitotic activity. The prognosis of HCC patients is generally very poor. Most studies report a five year survival rate of less than 5% in symptomatic HCC patients. Furthermore, these tumors have been shown to be quite resistant to radio- or chemotherapy. Investigations of the natural history and clinical course of HCCs revealed long-term survival of patients only with small asymptomatic HCCs that could be treated surgically or by non-surgical interventions. Apart from exploring and refining new HCC treatment strategies, the implementation of existing and the development of novel measures to prevent HCC development are most important. Primary HCC prevention includes among others universal hepatitis B vaccination, antiviral therapy of patients with chronic hepatitis B or C, reduction of food contamination with aflatoxins, elimination of excessive alcohol etc. Also for some genetic diseases there is the potential for HCC prevention by identifying affected family members at risk, such as patients with precirrhotic hemochromatosis. Reduction of iron overload by phlebotomy has been shown to eliminate the progression hemochromatosis to liver cirrhosis and HCC. Preventive measures, therefore, should have a major impact on the incidence of HCCs in patients with acquired and inherited liver diseases. Further, the prevention of a local recurrence or the development of new HCC lesions in patients after successful surgical or non-surgical HCC treatment (secondary prevention) is of paramount importance and is expected to significantly improve disease-free and overall patient survival. Based on rapid scientific advances, molecular diagnosis, gene therapy and molecular prevention are becoming increasingly part of our patient management and will eventually complement and in part replace existing diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive strategies. Overall, this should result in a reduction of the incidence of HCCs, one of the most devastating malignancies worldwide.